Katrina Hope, and her children Arlo and Remi, with her chosen artwork, Second Movement, by Roger Kemp. Photo: Stephen Winkler.
Benalla Art Gallery is celebrating its 50th birthday, while undergoing an upgrade and renovation.
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To keep the gallery in the forefront of people’s minds, and celebrate its extensive collection, the Benalla Art Gallery Foundation is leading the ‘Our Gallery’ project.
That project sees local people choose their favourite artwork from the gallery collection and explain what it means to them.
Just before Christmas, the Ensign published the first of several ‘Our Gallery’ articles.
This is part two, which looks at art selected by Benalla’s Katrina Hope and Benedict Ncube, and Krissy Heaney from Lima South.
Katrina Hope
Chosen artwork: Second Movement, by Roger Kemp.
Katrina is an executive assistant at Cooinda Village. She moved to Benalla four years ago to be closer to family.
“With the help of my children, I chose this painting by Roger Kemp for the dynamic chaos, the colour, story and the layers,” she said.
“I can imagine Roger’s movement in the studio whilst creating this piece.”
Roger Kemp (1908–1987) was born in Bendigo. He was a pioneering Australian abstract artist whose work explored spiritual and cosmic themes through bold geometric forms and rhythmic compositions.
A key figure in postwar modernism, his visionary paintings and murals helped define abstraction in Australian art.
Second Movement was gifted to the Benalla Art Gallery by Jason Yeap in 2005.
Krissy Keaney
Krissy Heany with her daughter and her chosen work, Landscape Avonsleigh, by Charles Blackman, 1955. Photo:Stephen Winkler
Chosen artwork: Landscape, Avonsleigh, by Charles Blackman, 1955.
Krissy lives on a rural property at Lima South and works at the Benalla Aquatic Centre as a swimming teacher.
She thinks the Benalla Art Gallery is a wonderful space for creative minds, whether you’re an artist or an observer.
“Being the daughter of a shearer/farmer, this painting resonates with me,” she said.
“It reminds me of my roots and simpler times. It brings a sense of calm each time I look at it.”
Charles Blackman (1928–2018) was a leading Australian painter renowned for his dreamlike and poetic imagery, often exploring themes of isolation, innocence and imagination.
Best known for his Alice in Wonderland and Schoolgirl series, Blackman’s surreal style became emblematic of postwar Australian art.
Landscape Avonsleigh, 1955, was purchased with Advisory Council Funds in 1978.
Benedict Ncube
Benedict Ncube with his chosen artwork, You and the space between, by ADNATE. Photo: Stephen Winkler.
Chosen artwork: You and the space between, by Adnate, 2015.
Benedict considers Benalla Art Gallery important because it helps people find therapy and healing through art.
A school student and active member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, he is interested in soccer, meeting new people and socialising.
“I love the contrast and the vibrant colours of Adnate’s artwork,“ he said.
“The eyes exhibit a lot of emotion and meaning. It is very eye-catching and appealing to look at.”
Adnate (born 1984) is a contemporary Australian street artist celebrated for his large-scale portrait murals that highlight the strength and spirit of Indigenous and marginalised peoples.
He painted Burmese Girl in 2015 during the inaugural Wall to Wall Festival in Benalla and also created a new work at The Shed as part of the 2025 Benalla Street Art Festival in collaboration with Drez.
You and the space between was purchased with the assistance of the Friends of Benalla Art Gallery in 2014.
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